16
Unfortunately, not all of us are professional models/ actors. So, as a photographer, I've seen a lot of tricks to get people to look candid in portrait-type settings. From telling a bride to make a serious face until she cracks up to making an awkward comment to get a response from a couple, I'll admit... I'm guilty of at least trying most of them out at one point. However, when people are comfortable and genuinely having a good time, it shows. That's why when shooting an individual, I usually suggest that they bring along a close friend or two. I say "close friend" because sometimes your best friend may not be the best person to bring with you to your shoot. The key question to ask about your best friend before asking them to come along with you... "Will this friend pick at me to the point of annoyance?" Plain and simple...your photo shoot is not the time to be self-conscious, or stressed out, but then again the friend (or friends) you choose shouldn't shy away from telling you that you're doing that dance recital/ cheerleader competition face again (you know the one... we all do it) either.
Now, when I'm shooting a couple, inviting extra friends to come along may not be the best idea. For example, lets face it, in engagement shoots especially there is normally a certain amount of snogging going down. Your photographer is a professional and is used to it. Your friends aren't. So, unless you want to listen to the awkward and inappropriate comments, you might want to leave the friends out of it.
Groups and families usually take pretty good care of themselves. Having more friends around for support or not, their natural interaction with each other is usually brilliant all on its own.
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Do I Go Solo to My Shoot?
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14
I remember vividly the day (back in 2007) that Kita Williams and Monique Jackson walked in the doors of CYMBIDIUM...Their energy and enthusiasm is simply contageous. I remember sitting in awe as I watched the skills that Kita possesses at working her cell phone! Since then, each year we have collaborated with these women to create a memorable event at the Gaylord Texan's Glass Cactus for Terrell Owen's foundation...the Catch a Dream Foundation. I love to witness hard work paying off, and no one works harder than these ladies! Be sure to catch the T.O. Show, tonight at 10:00. Congrats to our dear friends on all of your success!!!
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Watch the T.O. Show... Tonight at 10 on VH1
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15
Confession up front- as I sit down to write this, I am completely overwhelmed as my feeble attempts to write could never do this topic or this man justice, but here goes...
I listened to a sermon this past week, where the preacher mentioned a "holy discomfort". Basically, God created you in His image. If you see a need and are uncomfortable with leaving it the way it is, He may just be calling you to do something about it. My mind immediately flashed to my friend George Achibra. A humble, wise, joy-filled teacher in Kete Krachi (a town located at the north western part of the Volta Region, in Ghana), George, noticed a young boy walking by his home one day. The boy looked tired, discouraged, overworked and underfed (as most of the trafficked children in the area do), so George started walking with him and asking questions. He found out that John Arthur had been sold by his father to a fisherman in the area. The two easily became friends, as John would walk by George's often. Late one night the Achibra Family was awakened by the sound of a child crying. They went outside to find John beaten, bruised and covered in blood. George took him to the police who documented the case, and allowed him to care for the child until his family could be located. George pursued finding John's family and was able to return him to his mother. Unfortunately, a few months later on a follow-up visit, he found that John had been re-sold to another master in the fishing industry. Immediately, George began renting a boat several times a week to find him. On his search, he found countless other children in the same condition John was in... working each day on the lake for a master 12-16 hours with only one meal and no pay.
George eventually found John and was able to place him and six others at the Village of Hope, where food, clothing, shelter, and education are provided and family surrounds him. That was 2 years ago now. Today, George, with the help of Pam Cope and the Touch a Life Foundation, has been able to place 21 more children at the Village of Hope, 12 at the Village of Life (a vocational training program in Kete Krachi started by George and Touch a Life), and 24 children in an orphanage in Tema (started by Touch a Life as a home for children from Lake Volta).
May all of our eyes be as open to see the needs around us, and our bodies, minds and hearts as willing to work to fulfill them.
Left: George with John Arthur in 2005 (photo courtesy of George Archibra). Right: John Arthur with George in 2009 at the Village of Hope.
Want to know more about George and the work he is doing? Check out Emily George, who recently spent months with George gathering information for the Touch a Life Foundation, or visit PACODEP's website.
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My friend George
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13
I love answering questions by asking more questions! It sounds weird, but I feel like you get a more adequate answer that way. This of course drives my sister, Robyn, nuts because I do it all the time in every day conversations...
Random Example:
Robyn: What do you want to do for dinner?
Me: What are you in the mood for... Chinese, Mexican, Fast Food, Pizza?
Robyn: Mexican Food.
Robyn: Probably Baja or Anamia's tonight?
Me: Well, are you going to order queso or guacamoli (yes, this is a vital decision making question)?...
This interrogation will continue until we pretty much know our entire order before we even get in the car. My point is this... when preparing what to wear for a photo shoot, there are a few questions you should ask yourself to ensure you will be fully satisfied with the results.
1. What's the occasion?
For some people this provides an obvious answer as to what should be worn. The best example would be bridal portraits... generally the point is to show off the hotness of the dress you are going to wear on your big day. However, you may have another dress you will be wearing to the reception, or a dress you will be leaving in that you want some portraits in as well. You may even have a grandmother's necklace or sentimental hairpiece that you would always know was missing, if you didn't have it in the pictures. Take time and think all of this through so you don't forget the important details, as the "little things" are often what we look back and remember most.
2. Who will you be sharing these pictures with?
If your sweet granny is going to be purchasing these to show you off to all of her ultra-conservative friends, do her a favor and take at least one outfit where the twins aren't busting out of the skin-tight tube-top. This will seriously cut down on the amount of unnecessary family drama.
3. Ask yourself, What "rules" have I always followed for pictures? and why?
Don't be afraid to break them! Love neon or horizontal stripes? Go for it! I'm all about not holding back, and pushing the envelope. Maybe not in all of the outfits you choose for your shoot (just incase your mom was right about those acid washed jeans looking too tight) but don't be afraid to have fun with what you are wearing. Just be sure to share your ideas with your photographer before hand, as they may choose a different location to shoot at based on your coolness factor!
4. Most importantly... Who are you?
Obviously, you know you better than anyone else. Bring clothes that are specifically you! Something you feel comfortable and confident in... you know, wear your "I'm a rock-star, and I look freakin hot" outfit! If you're in a group, family, or couple this still applies. You can coordinate, but the key is to celebrate your differences. Each one of you is still a unique individual. Express that, and the love you have for each other will show up even more in the pictures.
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help! what do I wear for my photo shoot?!
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12
Delayed flight after cancelled flight + a missed flight + a terrifying cab ride + rain + some very angry New Yorkers = me slumped over against a wall on the crowed floor of JFK. Cue the dramatic, girl alone in the airport music now. (I was on my way to Ghana to visit the Village of Hope, basically to take pictures to update the people back home on the progress of the buildings and get some good shots of the art camp, The Children's Art Village, that would be going on there that week.) Just then, the clouds parted and two shining faces started walking towards me. Enter: Mai Lai, the director of the Children's Art Village, and Pam Cope, director of the Touch A Life Foundation. They were headed to the Village of Hope as well and were on my plane! They introduced me to those they were traveling with, and I noticed that one of them seemed just as tired and ready to finally board the plane as I was... Patrick Cone. Fellow Dallas-ite, Patrick had been through the same type of flight situation that I had, and carried with him an oversized carry-on, that I know all too well (as someone who travels with my own gear more often than not, and is waaaaay to paranoid to actually check it with my baggage). Pam informed me later that she and her husband, Randy, had hired the videographer to make a short documentary informing people about their foundation, and how it rescues children out of modern day slavery. Needless to say I was intrigued. Before night fell at the Village of Hope, I had agreed to accompany Patrick and Randy on the 10 hour (or in our case 16 hour, thanks to the rainy season) drive up to Lake Volta (a man made lake where numerous children are trafficked into the fishing industry) in order to help document the story with stills. The following are a few shots from that first trip to the lake that I hope will inspire you to keep reading, because the story is far from over!
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How did I wind up on Lake Volta?
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